Environmental Justice

FHWA Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

On June 14, 2012, FHWA issued the FHWA Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations directive, which establishes policies and procedures for FHWA to use in complying with Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations (EO 12898), dated February 11, 1994.

Final DOT Environmental Justice Order

On May 2, 2012, U.S. DOT issued the Final DOT Environmental Justice Order, which is an update to U.S. DOT's original Environmental Justice Order (Departmental Order 5610.2(a) - Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations), which was published on April 15, 1997. The Order continues to be a key component of U.S. DOT's strategy to promote the principles of Environmental Justice in all Departmental programs, policies, and activities.

Guidance on Environmental Justice and NEPA

On December 16, 2011, FHWA issued a memo titled Guidance on Environmental Justice and NEPA. This guidance describes the process to address Environmental Justice during the NEPA review, including documentation requirements. It supplements the FHWA Technical Advisory 6640.8A, which provides guidance for documenting the potential social, economic, and environmental impacts considered in the selection and implementation of highway projects.

Environmental Justice Reference Guide

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Environmental Justice (EJ) Reference Guide (April 1, 2015) is a resource for FHWA staff to help them ensure compliance with EJ requirements. EJ at FHWA means identifying and addressing disproportionately high and adverse effects of the agency's programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations to achieve an equitable distribution of benefits and burdens. This also includes the full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in the transportation decisionmaking process. The EJ Reference Guide does not establish any new requirements or replace any existing guidance. The FHWA EJ Workgroup, comprised of staff from different offices throughout the agency, collaboratively developed this reference guide.

Environmental Justice and NEPA Case Studies

FHWA has developed a series of Environmental Justice and NEPA case studies that focus on Environmental Justice analysis during the environmental review process. The case studies highlight 10 projects where agencies addressed Environmental Justice concerns early in the NEPA process.

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